Driving mechanism for flexible shafts



June 24, 1941. *M'; J. SULLIVAN v 2 3. v DRIVINQ MECHANISM FOR-FLEXIBLE SHAFTS I Y Filed March 20," 1941 4 heets'-.Sheet 1 100 V do 65 40 i6 4/ .167 J'- 1%? v 7 June /1941. M. J. SULLIVAN 2, ,004

DRIVING MECHANISM FOR FLEXIBLE SHAFTS Filed Marcfi 20', 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 flaw/50a 5 I Junezl, 9 1, v M. J; SULLIVAN 2,247,004

' DRIVING MECHANISM FOR FLEXIBLE SHAFTS Filed March 20, 1941 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 El 1 v J J. SULLIVAN 2,247,004.

DRIVIilG MECHANISM FOR FLEXIBLE SHAFTS Filed March '20, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ?atented June 24, 194i UNl'iED I DRIVENG MECHANISM FOR FLEXIBLE s'rs Michael 3. Sullivan, Springfield, Ohio Application March 20, 1941, Serial No. 384,382

25 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in sewer cleaners, with particular reference to apparatus or machines employed in operating the flexible shaft or wire cable which carries the cutter or cleaning implement by which the obstruction is cut away or loosened from the sides of the sewer, an example of cutting implement forming the subject matter of my prior Patent No. 2,169,543, dated August 15, 1939.

In cleaning out obstructions in-sewer pipes or drains it is customary to use a wire cable or "flexible shaft, commonly known as a snake, and in some instances the wire cable is of considerable length necessitating the use of a'reel and mechanism in association therewith for not only paying the motor driven wheel to the driving shafts. Fig. Sis a vertical sectional view through the parts constituting the driving mechanism.

Figs. 7, 8, and 9 are views of auxiliary hollow shafts mounted on the main shaft, with the parts .flxedly secured to each respectively.

of connecting one of the driving pinions to an ing out the wire cable and 'rewinding it, but also for rotating the cable or flexible shaft in operating the implement employed for dislodging or removingthe obstruction. In apparatus of this general character, for operating the cutter, it is usual to mount the reel in a supporting frame in such manner as to provide for revolving it laterally to rotate that portion of the wire cable extending beyond the apparatus, in addition to providing means for reeling and unreeling the wire cable, and the mechanism usually includes an electric motor for the operation thereof.

with this general construction of apparatus in mind my invention contemplates certain improvements that will not only facilitate the several operations but also perform the -duties in a more competent and effective manner; that is, provide a construction of apparatus by means of which the wire cable or flexible shaft can be more easily and conveniently handled in performing the work required.

- With this principal object in view my invention consists in the particular-construction and combination of parts constituting the apparatus, as hereinafter fully described and more specifically set forth in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure -1 is a side elevation of the apparatus constructed in accordance with my invention, the revolving reel carrying frame being shown in horizontal position. v I

Fig. 2 is a plan view' with the reel carrying frame turned to bring the winding and unwinding mechanism uppermost.

auxiliary-hollow shaft or sleeve.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view on the line ll--il of Fig. 4.

Fig. 12 is a detail view of a friction-wheel forming part of the wire cable winding mechanism.

Figs. 13 and 14 are detail views to illustrate the construction of the wheel for directing the wire cable to the hollowmain shaft through which said wire cable is led from the apparatus, and Fig. 15 is a sectional view on the line Iii-I5 of Fig. 2. Y Y

The mechanism for carrying out the different functions of apparatus constructed in accordance with my invention is mounted in a supporting and for winding and unwinding the wire cable.

Fig. 5 is a detail view of one of the levers for engaging and-disengaging the clutches connectframe consisting of tubular bars 20, 20 of U-shape formation connected at their ends to shaft-bearings 2|, 22 located at opposite ends of the apparatus and from which said U-shape bars diverge,-

with the horizontal bars resting on the ground, and for supporting the electric motor, 23, in association with the apparatus crosspieces 24, 24 are bolted on the horizontal members of the supporting frame at one end thereof, as shown in the drawings. Within the upper part of this supporting frame is mounted a rectangular reel carrying frame 25,, made up ofv spaced apart parallel channel bars 26, 26 connected at their ends by crosspieces 21 and 28, and so that this reel carrying frame may revolve laterally for.

turning the wire cable as hereinafter explained, the crosspiece 2'! is provided with a stub shaft 29 Journaled in the aforementioned bearing 2|,

while the crosspiece 28 is fixed to a hollow shaft 30 (see Fig. 6) extending therefrom and journaled in bearing 22 at the other end of the supporting frame.

Reel 3!, on which the wire cable, 32, is wound, is mounted in the revoluble frame 25 near one end thereof, the shaft 33 of said reel being journaled in bearings 34, 34 bolted to the channel bars forming the side pieces of said frame, and for rotating the shaft towind the wire cable on the reel a. ratchet wheel 35 keyed thereon is engaged by a pawl 36 pivoted to the inner side of a sprocket wheel 31 loosely mounted on the outer end of the shaft, said sprocket wheel bein turned by a sprocket chain 28 driven in the manner hereclutch member.

inafter described. The cable passing from the reel is led from the apparatus through a hollow stationary main shaft 38 on which is journaled a crosspiece 40 of the revoluble reel frame, said crosspiece beinglocated intermediate the ends of the frame and the shaft extends therefrom through the rotatable hollow shaft 38-in the bearings 28 and 22to beyond the outer end of .the supporting frame where it is firmly supported by an inverted V-shape brace-bar 4| secured at its ends to brackets 42 projecting from the tubular bars of the main supporting frame and braced by rods 43. The main shaft is rigidly secured to this brace bar by means of. a set screw (1 extending through the upper end of the brace into a hole or depression in the main shaft.

For revolving the reel carrying frame, and for rotating the reel through the medium of the sprocket chain, a large belt wheel 44 is loosely mounted on the hollow shaft 38 and driven from the electric motor by belt 45 passing around a small pulley 46 on the shaft of the motor and tightened by an idle pulley 41 supported at the outer end of an adjustable bracket-arm 48 belted to one of the diverging members of the brace-bar 4| supporting the outer end of the main shaft.

The reel carrying frame is revolved by connecting the belt wheel directly to the hollow shaft 36 extending from said frame through the bearing 22, the connection being effected by a clutch member 48 on the inner side of the hub of the belt wheel engaging a companion clutch member 50 keyed to the shaft-the shifting of the belt wheel being provided for by alever pivoted to plate 52 extending from the supporting frame and hava yoke 53 with rollers 54 engaging a circumferential groove 55 in the hub at the inner side of the The belt wheel also operates the sprocket chain to rotate the reel for winding and unwinding the wire cable thereon, and for this purpose a rotatable sleeve 56 extends through the hollow shaft 38 for the operation of a bevel pinion 51 in gear with a large bevel wheel 58 shaft 58 of which is mounted in a bearing in one of the channel bars 26 and extends beyond the same to receive a small sprocket wheel 60 over which the sprocket chain passes to the larger sprocket wheel 31 on the reel shaft. For connecting the belt wheel to the rotatable sleeve the latter is provided at its outer end with a clutch member 6| adapted to. be engaged by a clutch member 62 on the hub of the belt wheel at the opposite side thereof from the clutch member 48, and for connecting the'rotatable sleeve to bevel pinion 51 the sleeve is provided at its enlarged inner end with a circumferential groove 63 (Fig.

) and hole 64 in the bottom thereof for detachable engagement of a pin 65 carried by the pinion, being held out of engagement with the hole by a cross rod 66 at the outer end'thereof resting on the outer end of a projection 61 through which the pin projects, and engaged by turning the pin so that the cross rod will enter opposite recesses 68. The pinion is loosely mounted on a sleeve 68 which is employed for operating a clutch-sleeve 10 slidable on the main shaft and having a clutch member H at one end adapted to engage a companion clutch member 12 on said pinion, with a clutch member 13 at its other end adapted to engage a companion clutch member I4 on a bevel pinion l5 loosely mounted on the main shaft and ment of the clutch-sleeve carried by the main shaft. The slidable sleeve 68, hereinbefore referred to, is operated by a lever 18 supported in a bracket 80 bolted to and extending from the brace 4|, said flexible shaft, and in order that this guide wheel in mesh with the aforementioned bevel wheel 58,

said clutch-sleeve being connected to slide on the main shaft by pin I6 engaging slot 11. Furthermore, bevel pinion "I6 is adapted to be held in conlever being similar in construction to that employed for shifting the belt wheel, the friction rollers engaging a circumferential groove 8| in a collar fixed to the outer end of said sleeve, and as will be seen by reference to Sheet 3 of the drawings the sleeve 68 has slidable movement directly on-the shaft 38 (Fig. '7), sleeve 56 is rotatable on said sleeve (Fig. 8), and shaft 30, carrying the driving belt wheel, is rotatable on sleeve 56--the sleeves being located within the outer shaft 30 and the assembly mounted on the stationary shaft through which the wire cable passes.

To guide the wire cable or flexible shaft from the reel to the inner end of the hollow main shaft, and for other purposes hereinafter explained, I provide a guide-wheel 83, which is interposed between the reel and inner end of the shaft, said wheel being somewhat in the nature of a grooved pulley, but instead of having a plain bottom to the groove around the circumference there are a series of teeth 84 at a pitch corresponding to that of the helices of the wire cable forming the may change its position for properly leading the cable it is mounted on a supporting shaft 85 in a particular-manner. In this instance the shaft is of such diameter as to provide for a reduced portion 86 and permit rocking movement of a collar 81 on which the wheel is mounted and which is connected to the shaft by diametrically opposite pins 88, lateral shifting movement of the wheel on an'axis perpendicular to the shaft being provided for by pins 88 disposed at right over which the sprocket chain 38 passes and with which it is' held in engagement by an adjustable sprocket wheel 82, the latter being supported in a bracket 88 having a slot 84 through which the stub shaft 85 passes. The wire cable is kept in contact with the guiding wheel by means of a roller 86 adjoining the periphery thereof, said roller being journaled at its ends in bearings 81 attached to plates 88 bolted to the sidepieces or channel bars of the reel carrying frame, with expansion springs 88 interposed between the bearings and plates for. yieldingly supporting the roller in contact with the wire cable, as illustrated in Fig. 11 of the drawings. The circumference of this roller is provided with spiral ribs I pitched to correspond with the teeth in the groove of the wheel, and said roller cooperates with the wheel as the wire cable passes between them to the inner end of the hollow shaft 88. I also provide a friction clutch associated with the guidewheel 83 and mounted on the outer end of shaft 86 for driving connection between sprocket wheel 8| and said shaft. This friction clutch consists of a split wheel |8| carrying the sprocket wheel the rim of an auxiliary wheel I02 keyed to the outer end of said shaft, whereby turning of the shaft by the sprocket wheel is effected by frictional engagement of the split wheel with wheel I02.

, The split wheel is expanded against theinner side of the rim of wheel I02 by a. spring actuated pawl I03 pivoted on pin I04 extending from the hub and engaging an escapement wheel I05 fixed to one of the bearings 90 to operate a cam I06 through the medium of a bent rod I08. The cam turns between cooperating lugs I01, I01 at adjoining ends of the split rim of the wheel and the bent rod carrying the same works in a groove in the hub with an extension through a hole in the sprocket wheel for connection to one member of the sprocket chain in that direction to pay out the wire cable will operate the pawl, bent rod and-cam to expand the split wheel against the in-.

nerside of the rim of wheel I02 keyed to the shaft whereby the shaft is turned by frictional engagement of the wheels- When the sprocket wheel is turned to the opposite directionin winding the wire cable on the reel-the pawl will ride freely'over the teeth of the escapement wheel without operating the cam.

In addition to the mechanism hereinbefore described I provide a brake device which is applied against one side of the reel, and .is in the form of a brake-shoe III at the inner end of a rod II2 threaded througha fixture II3 bolted to one of the channel bars forming the side pieces .of the reel carrying frame. Furthermore, in order to connect the reel carrying frame directly to the supporting frame a pin H6 is passed through an opening therefor in the bearing 28 to :engage a hole in; the bearing 22, as

shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings, and for wheeling the apparatus a pair of ground wheels I09, I09 is provided at the front of the apparatus) where he motor is located, said wheels being supported by a shaft III extending between the brackets 42, 42 on the tubular bars of the main supporting frame.

As some of the elements of the transmission gear are located beyond one side of the laterally revoluble reel carrying frame the weight of these elements is balanced at the frame by means of a counter alancing weight either side of the H5 bolted to channel bar 26, and augmented by weight H4 spaced therefromand located nearer v the reel.

In winding the wire cable onto the reel to prepare the apparatus for doing the work for which it is designed, pin 65 is dropped into hole 1 64 for connecting pinion 51 to rotatable sleeve 56, and pin 16 is disconnected from the crosspiece 40 of the reel carrying frame to permit pinion 15 to run loosely on the main shaft-clutch-sleeve' 10 being in an intermediate or neutral position. The mechanism is now ready for winding the wire cable on to the reel, and this operation is and loosely mounted on the shaft to work within matically to lead the cable from the inner end of the hollow main shaft to the reel for orderly arrangement thereon, in this instance free movement of the guide wheel taking place by reason of the pawl I03 running loosely over the ratchet teeth of wheel I05. During this operation the reel carrying frame is held stationary by pin .l6, and after the wire cable is wound on to the reel, leaving an end projecting beyond the apparatus, any type of cleaning device or implement-asthe cutter disclosed in my prior patent hereinbefore referred to-is attached to the outer end of the wire cable putting the apparatus in condition for operation in cleaning out a sewer. The mechanism is also arranged in this manner when it is desired to pull the wire cable and cutter "out of the sewer, or to loosen the cutter should it become stuck, it being understood that in withdrawing the wire cable by this arrangement the cutter-head does not rotate.

To prepare the apparatus for turning the reel carrying frame to rotate the wire cable and cutter for the purpose of dislodging an obstruction from the sewer or drain pipe, the belt wheel is first put in neutral position, pin H6 is removed to disconnect the reel carrying frame from the supporting frame, and pin 65 withdrawn from the'hole 64 so that pinion 51 of'the transmission gear will turn freely on sleeve 69-clutch sleeve 10 bein in neutral position and pin 18 withdrawn from pinion 15. Now by connecting clutch 49-50 to rotatable sleeve 30 the motor will revolve the reel carrying frame to which said sleeve is attached so as to rotate the wire cable without moving it in or out-such movement being controlled by the operation of lever 19 to shift clutch sleeve 10 intoengagement with either one of the pinions 51 or '15, according to the direction'the wire cable is to be moved. That is, the lever isoperated .to pay out the wire cable from the reel during the operation of the reel carrying frame by shifting the clutch sleeve to engage clutch 13-14 for holding pinion 15 to shaft 39 to operate the transmission gear, including the sprocket chain, while pinion 51 runs loosely on the inner end of sleeve 69. On the other hand, when it is desired to draw the wire cable outwardly in the sewer pipe to a more .or less extent the clutchsleeve is shifted to engage clutch "-12 thereby holding pinion 51 and allowing pinion 15 to run loosely instances where a stubborn: obstruction is being dislodged from the sewer pipe, as the movement of the wire cable backward and forward can be accomplished to the fractionof. an inch. When the wire cable is being drawn in pawl 36 engages ratchet wheel 36 to turn the reel-guide wheel 83 then serving merely to lead the cable to the reeland when the wire cable is being payed out by reversing the operation of the transmission gear, as hereinbefpre described, pawl 36 runs loosely over ratchet wheel" 35 and the friction clutch comes into action for drawing the wire cable from the drum through the medium of said friction clutch which controls the turning of the guide wheel 63 by the sprocket wheel 9i. The friction clutch works the same with a small amount of wire cable on the reel as it does with a full reel; that is to say, it is automatic and very sensitive, for the reason it readily responds to the reversing movement of the transmission gear for revoluble movement laterally and in which and sprocket chain, and in winding out the wire cable by guide wheel 83 the brake HI presses against the side of the drum to retard its rotation.

From the foregoing description of the construction and operation of the apparatus it will be apparent that the mechanism provides for operating a wire cable or flexible shaft wound on -a reel to not only feed out the cable and rotate the implement for cleaning out obstructions in the sewer pipe, but greatly facilitates the operation, with particular reference to controlling the operation of the cutter in cutting through a stubborn obstruction.

The apparatus is conveniently moved from one location to another by lifting that end of the supporting frame-opposite the ground wheels so as to tilt the apparatus for supporting the same on said ground wheels, and" the construction of the supporting frame is such that it will rigidly support the-apparatus during the operation thereof as the tubular frame bars rest firmly on the ground. It will be apparent that changes may be made in respect to some parts of the mechanism employed for carrying out my invention, and therefore I desire to reserve the right to obvious modifications within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

. I claim:

1. An apparatus for paying out a flexibleshait cable, comprising a supporting frame having shaft bearings, a reel carrying frame journaled in the supporting frame for revoluble movement laterally, a shaft journaled in said frame and on which the reel is mounted, a hollow shaft fixed to the supporting frame to form the journal on which the outer end of the reel carrying frame revolves and through which the wire cable passes, a hollow shaft surrounding the fixed shaft and rotatable thereon, said rotatable shaft being connected to the reel carrying frame, and means for rotating said shaft; together with transmission gear between the rotatable shaft the. reel is mounted, a hollow shaft fixed to the supporting frame to form the journalon which the outer end of the reel carrying frame'revolves and through which the wire cable passes, a rotatable shaft surrounding the fixed shaft and connected at its inner end to the reel carrying.

frame, a driving wheel for rotating said shaft to revolve the reel carrying frame, transmission gear between the driving wheel and reel on which the cable is wound, and clutches for connecting the driving wheel to the rotatable shaft and transmission gear respectively.

5. An apparatus for paying out a flexible: shaft or wire cable from a reel and forrotating said cable, comprising a supporting frame, a reel carrying frame journaled in the supporting frame for revoluble movement laterally and in which the reel is mounted, a hollow shaft fixed to-the supporting frame to form' the Journal onwhich the outer end of the reel carrying frame revolves and'through which the wire cable passes, a rotatable shaft surrounding the fixed shaft and connected at its inner end to the reel carrying frame, a driving wheel for rotating said shaft to revolve the reel carrying frame, transmission gear between the driving wheel and reel on which or wire cablefrom a reel and for rotating said a and shaft carrying thereel on which the wire cable is wound.

2. An apparatus for paying out a flexible shaft or wire cable from a reel and for rotating said cable, comprising a supporting frame, a reel carrying frame journaled in the supporting frame for revoluble movement laterally and in which the reel is rotatably mounted, a hollow shaft fixed to the supporting frame to form the journal on which the outer end of the reel carrying frame revolves and through which the wire cable passes, a rotatable shaft surrounding the fixed shaft and connected at its inner end to the reel carrying frame for turning the latter, a driving wheel loosely mounted on said shaft and connected .thereto by a clutch to revolve the reel carrying frame, transmission gear between said driving wheel and reel on which the wire the cable is wound, and clutches for connecting the' driving wheel to the rotatable shaft and transmission gear respectively; means carried by the revoluble reel carrying frame and operated thereby for paying out the wire cable from the reel.

6. An apparatus for paying out a flexible shaftor wire cable from a reel and for rotating said cable, comprising-a supporting frame, areel carrying frame journaled in the supporting frame for revoluble movement laterally and in which the reel is mounted, a hollow shaft fixed to the supporting 'frame to form the journal on which the outer end of the reel carrying frame revolves and through which the wire cable passes, a hollow shaft surrounding the fixed shaft and connected at its inner end to the reel carrying frame, a driving wheel loosely mounted on the rotatable shaft, transmission gear between the driving wheel and reel for winding and unwinding the wire cable thereon, clutch members at opposite sides of the hub of the driving wheel, and companion clutch members for connecting the driving wheel to the rotatable shaft and transmission gear respectively.

'7. An apparatus for paying out a flexible shaft or wire cable from a reel and for rotating said cable,comprising' a supporting frame, a reel carrying frame journaled in the supporting frame for revoluble movement laterally and in which the reel is mounted, a hollow shaft fixed to the supporting frame to form the journal on which the outer end of the reel carrying frame revolves and through which the wire cable passes, a. hollow shaft surrounding the fixed shaft and connected at its inner end to the reel carrying frame, a driving wheel loosely mounted on the rotatable shaft, transmission gear between the driving wheel and reel for winding and unwinding the wire cable thereon, clutch members at opposite sides of the hub of the driving wheel, and companion clutch members for connecting the driving wheel to the rotatable shaft and transmission gear respectively; together with means carried by the reel carrying frame and. operated by the transmission gear for paying out the wire cable from the reel.

8. An apparatus for paying out ai fiexible shaft together with for-revoluble movement laterally and in whichor wire cable from a reel and for rotating said cable, comprising a supporting frame, a reel carrying frame journaled in the supporting frame for revoluble movement laterally and in which the reel is mounted, a hollow shaft fixed to the supporting frame to form the journal on which the outer end of the'reel carrying frame revolves and through which the wire cable passes, a rotatable shaft surrounding the fixed shaft and connected at its inner end to thereel carryto revolve the reel carrying frame, transmission gear between the driving wheel and reel on which the cable is wound, said transmission gear including ratchet and pawl mechanism between the shaft of the reel and an element of the transmission gear for turning the reel to wind the wire cable thereon, and clutches for connecting the driving wheel to the rotatable shaft and transmission gear respectively.

9. An apparatus for paying out'a flexible shaft or wire cable from a reel'and for rotating said cable, comprising a supporting frame, a reel carrying frame journaled in the supporting frame for revoluble movement laterally and in which the'reel is mounted, a hollow shaft fixed to the supporting frame to form the journal on which the outer end of the reel carrying frame revolves and through which the wire cable passes, a rotatable shaft surrounding the fixed shaft and connected at its inner end to the reel carrying frame, a driving wheel for rotating said shaft to revolve the reel carrying frame, transmission gear between the driving wheel and reel on which the cable is wound, said transmission gear including ratchet and pawl mechanism between the shaft of the reel and an element of the transmission gear .for turning the reel to wind the wire cable thereon, and clutches for connecting the driving wheel to the rotatable shaft and transmission gear respectively; together with meanscarriedby the reel frame and operated by the transmission gear for paying out the wire cable from the reel.

10. An apparatus for paying out a flexible shaft -or wire cable from a reel and for rotating said' cable, comprising a supporting frame, a reel carrying frame journaled in the supporting frame for revoluble movement laterally and in which the reel is mounted, a hollow shaft fixed to the supporting frame to form the journal on which the outer end of the reel carrying frame revolves and through which the wire cable passes, a hollow shaft'surrounding the fixed shaft and connected at its inner end to the reel carrying frame, a driving wheel loosely mounted on the rotatable shaft, transmission gear between the driving wheel and reel for winding and unwinding'the wire cable thereon, clutch members at opposite sides of the hub of the driving wheel, and companion clutch members for connecting the driving wheel to the rotatable shaft and transmission gear I-speotively; together with means carried by the reel carrying frame and operated by the transmission gear for paying out the wire cable from the reel, said means including-a grooved wheel'over which the wire cable passes from the reel to the hollow shaft, and a friction clutch on the reel is mounted, ahollow shaft fixed to the supporting frame to form the journal on which the outer end of the reel carrying frame'revolves nected at its inner end to the reel carrying frame, a driving wheel loosely mounted on the rotatable shaft, transmission gear between the driving wheel and reel for winding and unwinding the wire cable thereon, clutch members at opposite sides of the hub of the driving wheel, and conipanion clutch members for connecting the driving wheel to the rotatable shaft and transmission gear respectively; togetherwith means carried by the reel carrying frame and operated by the transmission gear for paying out the wire cable from the reel, said means including a wheel having a. circumferential groove with teeth in the bottom thereof pitched to correspond with the pitch of the helices of the wire cable, and avfric- 'tion clutch connecting the shaft of. the wheel to the transmission gear.

12. An apparatus for paying out a flexible shaft or wire cable from a reel and for rotating said cable, comprising a supporting frame, a reel carrying frame journaled in the supporting frame forrevoluble movement laterally and in which the reel is mounted, a hollow shaft fixed to the supporting frame to form the journal on which the outer end of the reel carry g frame revolves and through which the wire cable passes, a hollow shaft surrounding the fixed shaft and connected at its inner end to the reel carrying frame, a driving wheel loosely mounted on the rotatable shaft, transmission gear between the driving wheel and reel for winding and unwinding the wire cable thereon, clutch members at opposite sides of the'hub of the driving 'wheel, and companion clutch members for connecting the driving wheel to the rotatable shaft and transmission gear respectively; together with means carried by the reel carrying frame and operated by the transmission gear for paying out the wirethe pitch of the helices of the wire cable, an idle roller bearing against the wire cable adjoining said wheel and having teeth pitched to correspond with the teeth on the wheel, and a friction clutch connecting the shaft of the wheel to the transmission gear.

13. An apparatus for paying out a flexible shaft or wire cable from a reel and for rotating said cable, comprising a supporting frame, a reel carrying frame journaled 'in the supporting frame for revoluble movement laterally and in which the reel is mounted, a hollow shaft fixed to the supporting frame tof'orm the journal on which the outer end of the reel carrying frame revolves and through which the wire cable passes, a hollowv shaft'surrounding the fixed shaft and connected at its inner end to the reel'carrying frame, a driving wheel loosely mounted on the rotatable shaft, transmission gear between; the driving wheel and reel for winding and unwinding the wire cable thereon, clutch members at opposite sides of the hub of the driving wheel, and companion clutch members for connecting the driving wheel to the rotatable shaft and transmission gear respectively; together with means carried by the reel carrying frame and operatedby the transmission gear for paying out the wire from the reel to the inner end of the hollow shaft through which it passes from the apparatus, and a friction clutch connecting the wheel shaft to the transmission gear.

14. The combination with an apparatus 'for paying out a flexible shaft or wire cable from a reel and for rotating said cable, including a supporting frame, a reel carrying frame journaled therein for revoluble movement laterally and in which the reel is mounted, and a hollow shaft through which the wire cable passes from the apparatus, of means for feeding the cable from the reel to the hollow shaft including a wheel mounted on a shaft supported in the reel carrying frame, means connecting the wheel to the shaft to provide for rocking and shifting movement of the wheel to lead the cable from the reel, and means for turning the wheel.

15. The combination with an apparatus for paying out a flexible shaft or wire cable from a apparatus, of means for feeding the cable from the reel to the hollow shaft including a wheel having a circumferential groove with teeth in the bottom of the groove pitched to correspond with the pitch of the helices of the wire cable, means connecting the wheel to the shaft to provide for rocking and shifting movement of the wheel to lead the cable from. the reel to the hollow shaft, an idle roller bearing against the wire cable adjoining the peripheryof the wheel and having longitudinal teeth pitched to correspond with the teeth in the groove of the wheel, means for turning the shaft on which the wheel is mounted.

.and a friction clutch for retarding the turning of the shaft.

16. The combination with an apparatus for paying out a flexible shaft or wire cable from a reel and for rotating said cable, including a supporting frame, a reel carrying frame journaled therein for revoluble movement laterally and in which the reel is mounted, and a hollow shaftof the collar on the shaft, and oppositely disposed pins connecting the wheel to the collar at right.

angles to the aforementioned pins forlateral shifting movement of the wheel, said wheel having a circumferential groove with teeth pitched to correspond with the pitch of the helices ofthe wire cable; and means for turning the shaft.

17. The combination with an apparatus for paying out a flexible shaft or wire cable from a reel and for rotating said cable, including a supporting frame, a reel carrying frame journaled therein for revoluble movement laterally and in which the reel is mounted, and a hollow shaft through which the wire cable passes from the apparatus, of means for feeding the cable from the reel to..the hollow shaft including a wheel pins connecting the wheel to the collar at right angles to the aforementioned pins for lateral shifting movement of the wheel, said wheel having a circumferential groove with teeth pitched to correspond with the pitch of the helices of the wire cable, means for turning the shaft, and a friction clutch 'for retarding the turning of the shaft.

-18. .The combination with an apparatus for paying out a flexible shaft or wire cable fro n a reel and for rotating said cable, including a supporting frame, a reel carrying frame iournaledtherein for revoluble movement laterally and in which the reel is mounted, and a hollow shaft through which the wire cable passes from the apparatus, of means for feedingth'e cable from the reel to the hollow shaft including a wheel mounted on the shaft, a collar interposed between the wheel and shaft and connected to the shaft ,by oppositely disposed pins for rocking movement of the collar onthe shaft, and oppo-' sitely disposed pins connecting the wheel to the collar at right angles to the aforementioned pins for lateralshifting movement of the wheel, said wheel having a circumferential groove with teeth pitched to correspond with the pitch of the helices of the wire cable, an idle roller having longitudinal teeth pitched to correspond with the pitch of theteeth on the wheel, and means for turning the shaft of the wheel including a friction clutch for retarding the rotation of the wheel.

19. An apparatus for paying out a flexible shaft or wire cable. from a reeland for rotating said cable, comprising a supporting frame having shaft bearings at the ends thereof, a'reel carrying frame journaled in the supporting frame for revoluble movement laterally and in which the reel is mounted, a hollow shaft fixed to the supporting frame to form the journal on which the outer end of the reel carrying frame revolves and through which the wire cable passes, a hollow shaft connected at its inner end to the reel carrying frame and surrounding the stationary shaft for rotation thereon, a driving wheel loosely mounted on the rotatable shaft and connected thereto by a clutch, a rotatable sleeve interposed and reel on which the wire cable is mounted, and

means for operating the clutches.

.20. An apparatus for paying out a flexible shaft or wire cable from a reel and for rotating said cable, comprising a supporting frame having shaft bearings at the ends thereof, a reel carrying frame journaled in the supporting frame for revoluble movement laterally and in which the reel is mounted, a hollow shaft flxed to the supporting frame to form the journal on which the outer end of the reel carrying frame revolves and through which the wire cable passes, a hollow shaft con nected at its inner end to the reel carrying frame and surrounding the'stationary shaft for rotation thereon, a driving wheel loosely mounted on the rotatable shaft and connected thereto by a clutch, a. rotatable sleeve interposed between the stationaryand rotary shafts and connected to the driving wheel by a clutch, transmission gear between the inner end, of the sleeve and reel on which the wire cable is mounted and means for operating the clutches, one of the gears being detachably connected to the reel carrying frame.

21. An apparatus for paying out a flexible shaft or wire cable from a reel and for rotating said cable, comprising a supporting frame having shaft bearings at the ends thereof, a reelcarrying frame journaled in the supporting frame for revoluble movement laterally and in which the reel is mounted, a hollow shaft fixed to the supporting frame to form the journal on which the'outer end of the reel carrying frame revolves and through which the wire cable passes, a hollow shaft connected at its inner end to the reel carrying frame and surrounding the stationary shaft for rotation thereon, a driving wheel loosely mounted on the rotatable shaft, a rotatable sleeve interposed between the stationary and rotary shafts and connected to the driving wheel by a clutch, transmission gear between the inner end of the sleeve and reel on which the wire cableis mounted, a clutch connecting the driving wheel to the sleeve, and means for operating the clutches, said transmission gear including a bevel wheel and bevel pinions at opposite sides thereof mounted in the reel carrying frame with one of the pinions detachably connected to said reel carrying frame for operating the transmission'gearby the turning movement of the wheel carrying frame.

22. An apparatus for paying out a flexible shaft or wire cable from a reel and for rotating said cable, comprising a supporting frame having shaft bearings at the ends thereof, a reel carrying frame journaled in the supporting frame for revoluble movement laterally and in which the reel is mounted, a hollow shaft fixed to the supporting frame to form the journal on which the outer end of the reel carrying frame revolves and through which the wire cable passes, a hollow shaft connected at itsinner end to the reel carrying frame and surrounding the stationary shaft for rotation thereon, a driving wheel loosely mounted on the rotatable shaft and connected thereto by a clutch, a rotatable sleeve interposed-between the stationary and rotary shafts and connected to the driving wheel by a clutch, transmission gear between the inner end of the sleeve and reel on which the wire cable is mounted, and means for operating the clutches, said transmission gear' including a bevel wheel and bevel pinions at opposite sides thereof mounted in the reel carrying frame with one of the pinions detachably connected to said reel carrying frame for operating the transmission gear by the turning movement of the reel carrying frame; together with a wheel for guiding the wire cable fromv the reel to the shaft through which it passes from the apparatus, said wheel being operated by the transmission gear, a roller cooperating with the wheel, and'a friction clutch for retarding the rotation of the wheel.

23. An apparatus for paying out a flexible shaft or wire cable from a reel and for-rotating said cable, comprising a supporting frame having shaft bearings at the ends thereof, a reel carrying frame journaled in the supporting frame for revoluble movement laterally and in which the reel is mounted, a hollow shaft fixed to the supporting frame to form the journal on which the outer end of the reel carrying frame revolves and through which the wire cable passes, a hollow shaft connected at its inner end to the reel carrying frame andsurrounding the stationary shaft for rotation thereon, a driving wheel loosely mounted on-the rotatable shaft and connected thereto by a clutch, a rotatable sleeve interposed between the stationary and rotary shafts and connected'to the driving wheel by a clutch, transmission gear and reel on which the wire cable is mounted, a.

between the inner end of the sleeve clutch connecting the driving wheel to the sleeve,

and means for operating the clutches, said transmission gear including a bevel wheel and-bevel pinions at, opposite sides thereof mountedin the reel carrying frame with one of the pinions detachably connected to said reel carrying frame for operating the transmission gear by the turning movement of the reel carrying frame: together with a wheel for guiding the wire cable from the reel to the shaft through which it passes from the apparatus, said wheel being operated by the transmission gear and having circumferential teeth for engagement with the wire cable, a

roller cooperating with the wheel and having corresponding longitudinal teeth or ribs, and a friction clutch for retarding the rotation of the wheel.

24. An apparatus for paying out a flexible shaft or wire cable from a reel and for rotating said cable, comprising a supporting frame having shaft bearings at the ends thereof, a reel carrying frame journaled in the supporting frame'for revoluble movement laterally and in which the reel is mounted, a hollow shaft fixed to the supporting frame to form the journal on which the outer end of the reel carrying frame revolves and through clutch, a rotatable sleeve interposed between the stationary and rotary shafts and connected to the driving wheel by a clutch, transmission gear between the inner end of the sleeve and reel on which the wire cable is mounted, a clutch connecting the driving wheel to the sleeve, and means for operating the clutches, said transmission gear including a bevel wheel and bevel pinions at opposite sides thereof mounted in the reel carrying frame with one of the pinions detachably connected to said reel carrying frame and the other pinion loosely mounted adjoining the inner end of the rotatable sleeve, means for detachably connecting the last mentioned pinion to the rotatable sleeve, a clutch member slidable on the flxedshaft and interposed between the bevel pinions for engagement with either one of said pinions, a longitudinally movable sleeve on the stationary shaft between the rotable sleeve and stationary shaft, and means for operating said longitudinally movable sleeve.

25. An apparatus for paying out a flexible shaft or wire cable from a reel and for rotating said cable, comprising a supporting frame having shaft bearings at the ends thereof, a reel carrying frame journaled in the supporting frame for revoluble movement laterally and in which the reel is mounted, a hollow shaft fixed to the supporting frame to form the journal on which the outer end of the reel carrying frame revolves and through which the wire cable passes, a hollow shaft connected at its inner end to the reel carrying frame and surrounding the stationary shaft for rotation thereon, a driving wheel loosely mounted on the rotatable shaft and connected thereto by a clutch, a rotatable sleeve interposed between the stationary and rotary shafts and connected to the driving wheel by a clutch, transmission gear between the inner end of the sleeve and reel on which the wire cable is mounted, and means for operating the clutches, said transmission gear including a bevel wheel and bevel pinions at opposite sides thereof mounted in the reel carrying frame with one of the pinions detachably connected to said reel carrying frame and the oth-' er'pinion loosely mounted adjoining the inner end of the rotatable sleeve, means for detachably connecting the last mentioned pinion to the rotatable sleeve, a clutch member slidable on the fixed shaft and interposed between the bevel pinions for engagement with either one of said pinions, a longitudinally movable sleeve on the stationary shaft between the rotatable sleeveand stationary shaft,

and means for operating said longitudinally movable sleeve; together with a wire cable guiding wheel between the reel and hollow shaft through which said cable passes from the apparatus, an idle roller cooperating with the guiding wheel, and a friction clutch retarding. the rotation of the guiding wheel.

MICHAEL J. SULLIVAN. 

